Plainfield police make third arrest in kidnapping and sex assault case

Plainfield — Police on Friday charged a third person in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 16-year-old by multiple men in 2012.

U.S. marshals and state police joined Plainfield police Friday to execute a warrant at 1097 Plainfield Pike in the Oneco section of Sterling. Police said the target of the warrant, 33-year-old James E. Tyson, fled from police and broke into a neighboring apartment in an unsuccessful attempt to escape.

Police said the arrest is the result of an investigation that began in October 2012, when a 16-year-old victim reported that she had been taken to the Moosup Little League Fields on Lions Drive in the Moosup village of Plainfield against her will. The girl claims she was sexually assaulted by multiple individuals that included Tyson, 21-year-old Cherelle King and 28-year-old Muhammed Yakubu.

Tyson was charged with first-degree kidnapping, aggravated first-degree sexual assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated first-degree sexual assault. He was held in lieu of a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Danielson Superior Court.

Tyson was additionally charged with burglary and interfering with police as he attempted to escape arrest, police said.